I am Stephen Monaco. Many of you knew as a happy, healthy little boy - a boy with a great big smile that
enabled me to charm my way into your hearts and homes. I loved playing with my cars and trains, and watching
"Clifford the Big Red Dog." As much as i enjoyed the outdoors, snuggling on someone's lap and reading stories
made me happy too. My life is very different now. You see, I was born with a metabolic disorder called
Isovaleric Acidemia. No one knew I had his disorder, because Virginia does not do comprehensive newborn
screening. If it did, I would be just fine today, with proper diet and medications. When I was three and a
half years old, my body couldn't hide it any longer, and I suffered a Metabolic Crisis. It left me with severe
brain damage....damage that took away my physical abilities. I'm still a little boy inside but I can't tell
you my needs or feelings. I can't walk and can't even sit up by myself. I get all my nutrition with a gastrostromy
tube in my belly. I have come a long way, since my crisis. I know you're there, and can sometimes smile to let you
know. I can even pull my head up with some help. My needs and expenses are very great now. I go to lots of doctor
appointments and require lots of therapy, some of which are not covered by insurance. Your contributions to my Medical
Fund will help my mommy and my daddy give me a chance to become the best I can be. I hope people will learn from my
experience and insist that all babies benefit from expanded newborn screening.

Love,

Stephen

The Stephen
Monaco Medical Fund was founded in 2001 with the intention of helping
the Monaco family offset the medical costs of continuing to support
Stephen through therapy and hospitalizations. Stephen has been able to
benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy that aids healing in the brain
and is now participating in a program called Brain Net. It is an
intense, specialized therapy program for children with brain injuries
designed for his specific needs. Both of these are just a few things
that insurance does not pay for. If you would like to make a
contribution to Stephen's Medical Fund please send a check or money
order to: